Pain is Epidemic in the USA
The saying “No pain. No gain” may apply to some forms of exercise, but when pain is chronic there is a lot to lose in terms of quality of life. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (2006), approximately 76.2 million, one in every four Americans, have suffered from pain that lasts longer than 24 hours and millions more suffer from acute pain. Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined and is the most common cause of long term disability.
There are many holistic ways to manage chronic pain through exercise, acupuncture, massage, hypnosis, meditation and other alternative therapies. There are herbal supplements and over the counter options for pain management which you should discuss first with a licensed practitioner to make sure they are right for your condition.
But for many people chronic pain management requires prescription medication, referred to as opioids. Taken with care opioids can help manage pain, but they can also become addictive if not managed. According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 2.1 million people in the U.S.A, alone suffer from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers. It can happen to anyone.
Dr. Michelle Lofwall, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, has an outpatient substance use disorder treatment practice and is actively engaged in teaching and clinical research, aimed at improving treatment for opioid use disorder. She joins me January 23 to discuss this sensitive topic.
She Speaks Her Mind About America’s Food System
She’s a Chicago mom on a mission who runs a local cooking school. And she’s rattling a few branches on the culinary trees among chefs like Tom Colicchio. Julie Kelley isn’t afraid to speak her mind when it comes to GMO (genetically modified) foods. While many believe strongly that our lives and foods should be GMO free, Julie is taking the opposite stance as a staunch defender of biotechnology. She argues why GMO foods can be beneficial in some cases and points out which foods to consider. She has her fair share of doubters as well as supporters. I confess when I was approached to have Julie on the show I hesitated since this topic is controversial. But my show is about spotlighting women who take action and generating a discussion. and that is what we will do when Julie joins me January 23. Read more about Julie in this article.
Julie Kelley calls herself an “Accidental Activist”
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